Gotta say the golf course. Plenty of areas where the crowd is younger and there to get drunk and play games. Plenty of other places that are a little more family friendly. It just depends on what your friend is looking for. Chances are he or she will be able to have fun just about anywhere as long as they are with like-minded people.

I will agree with this, but almost any of the lots are fine. More important is to

A: Organize ahead of time.
B: Make yourself visible. People eating on paper plates sitting on the back of a truck with no appreciable tailgate gear aren't doing it right.
C: Bring enough so you can wave people over you don't know. After all, if you're wearing Maize and Blue, you're a friend on game day.

Common! Isnt that what those pine trees are for along the way? My friends and I tailgate on the other side of the tracks from the golf course. Mr. Stadium Dry clean to be exact, just a few buildings over from Cubs. Its a good place with a few extra spots you just have to get there early enough. They have a bathroom inside Mr. Stadium and around the corner is Stadium carry out. They have some awesome pizza and any kind of alcohol you could think of. When its game time you just take a stroll across the golf course to the stadium. Absolutely perfect!

Golf Course 8am....beers. beers. beers. then start cookin' the brauts...do work on the brauts at 10:30. pack it up and head to the stadium at 11. watch the band come in and the players warmup. buy the beers. this part sucks. but you are on the inside now and you gotta buy the beers. HIGH NOON. GAMETIME. Lock it down.

Well, the most fun way to tailgate is to tailgate on campus with students. But the more PC way to tailgate would be going to the golf course, either the U or Golf & Outing. If we're good (PLEASE GOD LET IT BE) and Penn State is good there is a chance that Gameday will be here and they are usually set up on the golf course.

The pro's to the golf course: There is so much great food. This is where you go to get good tailgating food and bs with alumni.

The cons to the golf course: This place is littered with kids. This isn't always a bad thing but I know in my personal experience, the last 4-5 years I couldn't imagine tailgating with some 4 year old.

I graduated in '05, lived in A2 until '08 (I moved out to Main), and still have friends who live near state and Hoover.

I've tailgated all over campus and when I get back in town that's where I'll go to get my fill of keg stands, 2nd floor beer bongs, and coeds (for their youthful energy) that I'm not getting in New York.

I'd stay away from the block just below Packard as it's usually the frattiest (no offense) and you'll be among plenty of random people who park their car for $20, party like it's 2004 (or whenever you were there), and make out with a psych major - if that's your bag of course.

Plus it's a quick walk to watch the drumline, and that massive procession down Hoover always gives me a chill.

Of course there are a million wonderful places and I just can't wait to get back in town and see the 2009 edition of our boys in blue!

OT- Do people forget that Feilding Yost was a "hick" from the WV who couldn't even pronounce "Michigan" "correctly"?

The best way is to hit up a house party/pregame in the South campus area south of Hill. That way you have ample access to bathrooms and you can easily grill on the porch. There's always music playing and you can wait it out as long as you want.

Then drop by State St. Grab some more beers (stay off the sidewalk) and make out with the psych major.

Then walk down Hoover to see the band. From there you can either go back to State, or follow the band and find some friendly tailgaters in the parking lot.

*There actually used to be an amazing tailgate owned by this guy named Mel that ran at every home game for something like 15 years. He had a huge tent and tons of free food and booze, but he lost the spot due to construction.

The Band practice lot at Hill & Division is a pretty good spot. You've got Elbel field right next to the lot, which is a good place to toss the pigskin around during quick breaks from heavy drinking (plus the parking lot itself is painted like a football field).

Revelli Hall is also right across the field if you want to watch the band march to the stadium.

There was a commercial for the Big Ten Network awhile back.... shows the Big House from above, and asks the question "where do they all park?"... cut to a guy spray painting parking stripes in his front yard.....

For years I have tailgated at a house on Pauline Blvd, less than a block off Main St, that has a nice large backyard area, holds about a dozen or so cars. Works out great, as my seats are in the north end zone... can leave my car at 11:30 and still be in my seat in time for the band.

Most folks on Pauline offer their yards for parking and tailgating for $20. It's pretty festive around there, although perhaps more subdued than the golf course.

Above all: BEER and brats.

Bring a grill. Have some Michigan-y type things... I usually have my car decked out pretty well, and my favorite tall M beer glasses, among other stuff.

The best situation I had for tailgating was a group of my friends lived for roughly four years at the first house north of Hoover on Green Street. (Green is where the band turns left off of Hoover and heads towards the stadium.) The situation offered all of the amenities of a house in addition to close proximity to the Stadium, a great spread every week, easy parking, and the opportunity to follow the band to the Stadium.

The golf course is cool for hanging out with old people and kids and is more of a family atmosphere. However, I have seen some pretty crazy partying going on on State Street. One of them involved a 3 story beer bong...